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Metamorphic Rocks
Hussien Al - deeky 1
Engineering Geology
Definition
Metamorphic rock is the result of the transformation of an existing rock type, the
protolith (parent rock), in a process called metamorphism, which means
"change in form".
When the pre-existing rocks (sedimentary or igneous rock) are subjected to
increased temperature, pressure and action of chemically active fluids,
metamorphic rocks are formed. During metamorphism re-crystallization of
mineral constituent takes place, as a result new minerals and new texture are
produced.
The metamorphic processes generally improve the engineering behavior of these
rocks by increasing their hardness and strength. Nevertheless, some
metamorphic rocks still can be problematic. Some metamorphic rocks are
foliated, which means they have oriented grains similar to bedding plains in
sedimentary rocks. These foliation is important because the shear strength is less2
for stresses acting parallel to the foliation
Engineering Geology
for engineering works, and are similar to intrusive igneous rocks in their quality.
However, some foliated rocks are prone to slippage along the foliation planes. Schist is
the most notable in this regard because of its strong foliation ad the presence of mica.
The 1928 failure St.Fancis Dam in California has been partially attributed to shearing
in schist and the 1959 failure of Malpasset dam in France to shearing in a schistose
gneiss.
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Types of Metamorphism
1-Contact metamorphism (Heat)is the name given to the changes that take
place when magma is injected into the surrounding solid rock. The changes
that occur are greatest wherever the magma comes into contact with the rock
because the temperature are highest at this boundary and decrease with
distance from it. Around the igneous rock that forms from the cooling magma
is a metamorphosed zone called a contact metamorphism aureole.
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3-Dynamic metamorphism (pressure)
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Heat
Basalt Pressure
Greenschist Eclogite
Metamorphic Grade
High-grade (extreme)
metamorphism: radical
changes in texture and/or
mineral composition of the
rock
Low Intermediate
Low-grade (mild) metamorphism: High
small changes in texture and/or
mineralogy of parent rock (200 to
350 OC )
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Engineering Geology
Rock texture changes
Foliated: Slate
• Parallel orientation of grains
• Low grade metamorphic, slaty texture
• Protolith: shale/mudstone
Foliated: Phyllite
• Very fine grained mica
• Barely macroscopic
• Crenulated parallelism, sheen
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Foliated: Chlorite Schist
• Mid-grade metamorphic rock
• Schistose texture
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Foliated: Gneiss
• High grade metamorphic
• Gneissic banding: 1mm to cm’s scale
• Protolith: Shale, mudstone, igneous rock
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Non-Foliated: Marble
• CaCO3
• Metamorphosed
. limestone!
Non-Foliated: Quartzite
• Metamorphism of sandstone
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Engineering Considerations of Metamorphic Rocks
(1)The metamorphic rocks also have the Alkali-silica reaction
problem when used as aggregates with Portland cement. The
metamorphic rocks with this problem are argillite, phyllite, impure
quartzite, and granite gneiss;
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